Farmers in Busia county solely depend on rain water for farming, hence when the rains fail or come late, they get worried. They get worried because agriculture is the backbone of their economy, and without it they would have no food for their families, no money for school fees for their children. Farming is what people here depend on for livelihood.
In the recent years people have noticed a change in rain patterns, rain coming late in the season unlike in previous years. They don’t understand why the neighbouring county is receiving rain while they receive nothing. This is of course attributed to climate change, but unfortunately most village folks are ignorant on these things. They don’t understand what all this talk about climate change is. But at the end of the day they have to blame someone for the drought.
The believers say it’s God’s wrath against humanity for our evil ways, while the nonbelievers blame some of these controversial churches mushrooming each day and their false prophets out to steal from gullible Christians. Some blame witchcraft and a few blame charcoal burners cutting down trees.
But in a village in Lwanyange, Nambale subcounty, people blamed a one watermelon farmer for the prolonged drought in the area. Mr. Okoit (not his really name) from Amukura in Teso hired a piece of land in the area, about four acres and decided to plant watermelons, a crop not grown in the area. Mr. Okoit cleared the field, cultivated and decided to sow his seeds with the light July rains. It was an ambitious move owing to the fact that at that time of the year there are very little rainfall in the region. But maybe because of the unpredictability of rainfall in the recent years, he was hoping it might rain and give his crop just enough water for them to grow.
Mr. Okoit’s watermelons germinated and were doing really well to the amazement of many. The farm because of its close proximity to the road, could be seen by all passerby which lead to varied opinions. At first the opinions were positive, complementing the farmer on such an ambitious project but later on they turned on him.
You see, by mid August most farmers had prepared their farms ready for the second planting season. They had prepared their seeds ready to sow as soon as the rains came. But there was no sign of rain.
As days went by so did the heat became intense, burning furiously. At a time they were supposed to be carrying out first weeding, they were yet to plant. To make it worse their neighbours had already planted because it had rained for them. And when September came and still no rain, desperation kicked in. Now almost everyone walked with their eyes to the sky, scratching their heads and some talking to themselves like lunatics.
People started asking questions that had no answers. The blame game followed. And who else to blame if not this stranger with his watermelons he planted at a very odd time of the season. “The Teso don’t like us much, they must’ve send this man to prevent rain so we may starve,” William lamented adding his voice to the somber conversation that was taking place at the bike repair shop under the giant mango tree.
The rumours spread like wildfire, everyone was talking about it, blaming the poor farmer for the drought, mind you it is twenty first century. But who is to be blamed?
Ignorance is to be blamed, and so is the authorities for not sensitizing and informing people on matters climate change. Climate change is happening, is really but very few people around the world really understand what it is.
Kenya just hosted Africa Climate Summit but I challenge you to go out there today in your rural backyard and ask how many people were even aware it took place, let alone what was being deliberated on and discussed, and you will be surprised. If we are to save this planet, we need everyone on board, literate or not. Climate change is everyone’s war.